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Los Angeles Dodgers: Austin Barnes has rare World Series performance

By David Hill

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Austin Barnes #15 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning in Game Three of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 23, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 23: Austin Barnes #15 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a solo home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning in Game Three of the 2020 MLB World Series at Globe Life Field on October 23, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes had a performance in the World Series on Friday that had not been seen since 1961.

No one is ever going to think of Austin Barnes as an offensive stalwart. The Los Angeles Dodgers backup catcher and occasional second baseman has typically been a subpar player at the dish, valued far more for his glovework and unique defensive versatility.

However, on Friday night, Barnes did something that had not been seen in the World Series in 59 years. By driving in a run on a squeeze play and hitting a homer in the same game, he became the first player since Hector Lopez in Game Five of the 1961 World Series to do both.

Lopez was a solid enough hitter during his time. Over his dozen years in the majors, the utility man hit ten or more homers seven times, posting a 103 OPS+. That home run was also the only homer that he would hit in his 31 postseason plate appearances over five years.

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Barnes is a somewhat different player. While he has a bit of pop, he is not someone that is likely to reach the 20 homer plateau. Over his major league career, Barnes has a .230/.344/.356 batting line with 38 doubles and 18 homers in his 920 plate appearances.

He also has not been asked to sacrifice much in that time, with just four sacrifice bunts in the regular season. That squeeze was his only sacrifice bunt in his postseason career, with the homer his second in the playoffs. It was also his first hit of the World Series, after appearing in a part time role during the previous rounds of the playoffs.

Barnes is obviously not behind the plate for his bat. He is valued for his solid glove and ability to work with the Dodgers pitching staff. Typically, anything he provides with the bat is a bonus. With the Dodgers offense rolling as it has been, they can afford to keep his glove in the lineup.

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But on Friday, Austin Barnes made his mark in the World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers catcher did something that had not been seen since 1961.

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